Pieces of History

In this episode of Pieces of History, I’m joined by Geoff Emberling to explore the history of ancient Nubia and the Kingdom of Kush - a civilisation too often overlooked in traditional accounts of the ancient world. We begin with Geoff’s own path into archaeology and his work in Nubia, before stepping back to place the region geographically and culturally within the wider Nile Valley. From there,...

In this episode of Pieces of History, I’m heading into the shadow world of organised crime with crime historian and author Scott M. Deitche, whose books and documentaries have become essential reading for anyone interested in the American Mafia. From Garden State Gangland to Cigar City Mafia and The Silent Don , Scott has built a career uncovering stories hidden in court files, surveillance tapes,...

In the second episode of Season Four, Pieces of History returns to the Belfast Hills for the next chapter of Phil Donnelly’s family journey, turning to the Joy–Dean line - a story rooted in the same landscape, but shaped by different choices and remarkable lives. Phil’s research introduces Margaret Joy and Philip Dean, whose mid-1700s marriage crossed religious boundaries in a way that was bold fo...

The latest episode of Pieces of History journeys into the Bolivian Amazon and a vast, seasonally flooded region known as the Llanos de Mojos — a landscape that is reshaping how historians and archaeologists understand the ancient Amazon. Long imagined as an untouched wilderness, the rainforest is now known to have been carefully shaped over centuries. Research has revealed enormous human-engineere...

Episode twenty-eight of Pieces of History takes us into the Belfast Hills, where the story of the Magee family offers a rare window into life in Hannahstown in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Through the research of Phil Donnelly, we uncover how ordinary families lived under extraordinary pressure - from the legacy of the Penal Laws to the quiet resilience of faith at hidden Mass Roc...

Episode twenty-seven of the new series of Pieces of History takes us into the turbulent final years of the Tokugawa shogunate — a period of political upheaval, foreign intrusion, and samurai-driven revolution that culminated in the Meiji Restoration. It is one of the most transformative chapters in Japan’s history, when centuries of tradition collided with the urgent need for national survival and...

Episode twenty-six of the new series of Pieces of History takes us to one of the most strikingly symbolic places in Cold War Europe: Mödlareuth - the tiny village once known as “Little Berlin.” With only a few dozen residents, this quiet rural community found itself split by a concrete wall after 1945, becoming an unexpected microcosm of division and ideology. Joining me is historian Susan Berger,...

Episode twenty-five of the new series of Pieces of History turns its gaze to Spain - a country where landscapes, ruins, and silences still carry the weight of a conflict that ended nearly a century ago. The Spanish Civil War continues to shape identity, politics, and memory, yet much of its legacy remains contested, hidden, or unspoken. Joining me is writer and historian Nick Lloyd, whose long con...

Episode twenty-four of the new series of Pieces of History turns the spotlight on Uzbekistan - a country often overlooked in global discussions yet rich in history, culture, and complexity. From the Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara to the modern-day shifts reshaping its society, Uzbekistan stands at a fascinating crossroads of past and future. Joining me is journalist and author Joanna Li...

Episode twenty-two of the new season of Pieces of History takes us to Rathmullan - a coastal village on the shores of Lough Swilly whose story spans centuries of Irish history. My guest is local historian and guide Deirdra Friel, who helps trace Rathmullan’s remarkable past - from the legacy of the McSweeneys and the Abbey to its surprising links with figures like Davy Crockett. We explore the dra...

Episode twenty-one of the new season of Pieces of History takes us to Lisburn, a city with a layered past and a living heritage. My guest is local historian and tour guide Aaron McIntyre, who helps trace Lisburn’s story from its earliest settlements to the city we see today. We look at the debate around its pre-Plantation origins, the transformation of the seventeenth century with the Plantation,...

Episode twenty of the new season of Pieces of History brings us into the world of Roman Britain through the work of archaeologist and illustrator Dr. David Neal. Over his career, Dr. Neal has recorded and interpreted some of the most important mosaics ever uncovered in Britain. We’ll trace his journey from early influences and training, to the moment he discovered the connection between art and ar...

Episode nineteen of the new season of Pieces of History takes us to the heart of Ireland’s medieval capital - Kilkenny. I’m joined by John Comerford, a local historian and tour guide, to explore the city’s rich past and enduring legacy. Together, we’ll walk through Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile , uncovering stories behind its well-preserved cobblestone streets, soaring cathedrals, and, of course, the i...

Episode eighteen of the new season of Pieces of History delves into a tale of intrigue, ambition, and one of the most daring thefts in history. Journalist and podcast writer Emma-Jane Kirby joins me to discuss A Most Audacious Heist , her gripping show that uncovers the extraordinary true story of the theft of the Sisi Star - a priceless diamond hairpiece belonging to Empress Elisabeth of Austria,...

Episode seventeen of the new series of Pieces of History journeys deep into the Alps - and deeper still into one of Europe’s quietest royal dynasties: the Princely House of Liechtenstein. In this episode, we follow the unlikely rise of a family that didn’t conquer a kingdom - they bought one. From medieval Austria to the court of the Habsburg emperors, the Liechtensteins navigated war, revolution,...

Episode sixteen of Pieces of History journeys into the rugged landscapes and complex past of Eritrea - a nation whose story is shaped by ancient empires, fierce colonial rivalries, and decades of struggle for independence. In this episode, we explore Eritrea’s unique position at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East - from its role in the ancient Aksumite Empire to centuries under Ottoman a...

Episode fifteen of Pieces of History takes us deep into the eerie world of 17th-century Ireland, where ghost stories, political intrigue, and family legacies intertwine. In this episode, we uncover the mysterious Beresford Apparition - a chilling spectral visitation involving Lady Beresford and Lord Tyrone that has haunted local memory for centuries. What was the story behind this famous ghostly e...

Episode fourteen of the new series of Pieces of History steps into the heart of 1970s Stockholm, where a botched bank heist gave rise to one of psychology’s most confounding concepts: Stockholm Syndrome. In this episode, we unravel the tense six-day standoff at Kreditbanken in Norrmalmstorg Square - a robbery that turned into a media circus, a national spectacle, and a defining moment in the study...

Episode thirteen of the new series of Pieces of History heads into the rugged wilderness of British Columbia to uncover the story of the Cariboo Gold Rush — a lesser-known but no less dramatic chapter of 19th-century North American history. This episode traces the feverish pursuit of fortune that drew thousands into remote mountain passes and dense forests, carving new routes through the Canadian...

Episode twelve of the new series of Pieces of History delves into the shadowy world of the Peruvian Inquisition, a chapter in colonial Latin American history often forgotten outside academic circles. This episode traces the complex layers of Peru’s past - from its rich geography and the legacy of powerful pre-Columbian empires, to the imposition of Spanish colonial rule and the creation of the Vic...

Episode eleven of the new series of Pieces of History shines a light on the often-overlooked role of Irish women in Jacobite networks, revealing their significant yet underappreciated contributions to the cause. Far from passive observers, these women were active participants in the struggle to restore the Stuart monarchy, operating in a world of secrecy, strategy, and high stakes. Joining me is h...

In episode ten of the new season of Pieces of History, we turn our attention to the ancient and intricate world of heraldry. This episode features an in-depth conversation with Dr. Paul Fox, whose fascinating journey from a career in medicine to heraldic and genealogical scholarship sheds light on the enduring power of symbols, identity, and tradition. Together, we explore the rich history of hera...

Episode nine of the new season of Pieces of History uncovers the rich and often haunting history of Ireland’s graveyards. In this episode, we explore Friar’s Bush Graveyard, one of Belfast’s oldest burial sites, and its deep connections to the city’s past. Joining me are Dr Deirdre Nic an tSionnaigh and John Bradbury from Cairde na Cille, a group dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of...

Episode eight of the new season of Pieces of History explores the fascinating intersection of investigative journalism and the mysteries of reincarnation. Award-winning journalist and author Tom Shroder joins me to discuss Old Souls, his compelling book that follows the groundbreaking research of Dr. Ian Stevenson, a pioneer in the study of past-life memories. We’ll dive into Tom’s career in journ...

Episode seven of the new season of Pieces of History takes us into the tumultuous world of early 20th-century Ireland, where revolution, political upheaval, and shifting ideologies shaped the nation’s future. In this episode, we examine the life and legacy of General Eoin O’Duffy - one of Ireland’s most controversial figures. Joining me is historian Jack Traynor, author of General Eoin O’Duffy: Th...